In 1992 Bill Clinton’s campaign for President famously used the line ‘It’s the economy, stupid’. Now the focus should be ‘It’s the economy, healthcare, housing and climate change, stupid’. Or to be more precise the mantra now must be “It’s quality of life, stupid”. All citizens who have a vote in any of these elections, should be asking themselves which party or parties, in a single transferable vote election, will focus on these issues and provide the best way forward.
Identity is important but the key issue for society should always be, how do we best ensure a good quality of life for ourselves, our family, friends and neighbours? We need to tell a story that shows how our message about the benefits of Irish unity in a way which resonates with politicians and citizens.
There is nothing more patriotic than providing for citizens’ quality of life. This isn’t some vague concept, it’s practical issues about how do we provide good education for our children and young people? How do we ensure affordable housing for everyone? Irish unity must be first and foremost about providing peace and prosperity for all citizens across Ireland.
When I first came up with the idea to write my book Irish Unity: Time to Prepare it was during the London Olympics of 2012. Things were so different then politically. The first Scottish Independence referendum of 2014, the Brexit referendum of 2016 and the disappearance of Unionist majorities in successive Northern Ireland elections for local government, Northern Ireland Assembly and the Westminster Parliament were all in the future. Now as I write this second book, each of those events which in their own way were seismic for the island of Ireland, as well as for Britain, are historic facts. Irish unity is an idea whose time has come. It is no longer a question of whether there will be a border poll in the future. It is now a question of when. As Professor Katy Hayward has stated: “The reassessment of Northern Ireland as an entity needs to take place.” The drive towards the reunification of Ireland must be led by ordinary voters creating the necessary momentum.
There are many people and organisations which are now calling for the planning to be undertaken before a unity referendum. I agree wholeheartedly that this is crucial. Analysis which has evaluated electoral results in Northern Ireland show that when voters who vote for non-aligned parties (i.e. Alliance and Greens) are incorporated into nationalist or unionist blocs, there is already a nationalist majority. We are fortunate that there are also many academics across Ireland, Britain and the USA who are now exploring both the planning required and the benefits which will be derived from reuniting Ireland. The reunification process will be complex and a long term process but I believe that there will be benefits for everyone who lives across this island. For me the Irish Unity Dividend is the combined result of the reunification of Ireland, as it will impact on each of our lives in multiple ways.
In this book I set out my analysis of the many benefits of Irish unity. The extent to which we secure this dividend depends on the decisions we make. Planning before the vote is key. It is also imperative that we choose the best way to deliver services and create opportunities for everyone who lives across the island of Ireland. I am seeking to set out an overview of the benefits from Irish unity, if we make the right decisions. It is not intended to be an operating manual on how we get there. The Irish Government must be the organisaton which takes forward the detailed planning to both prepare for and implement the reunification of Ireland.
We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to build a nation which delivers for all of its citizens. The best way to achieve this is by putting in place governmental structures which are the most efficient and effective. You do not have to be an economist to understand that one of something is cheaper and more effective than duplicating services. We currently duplicate so many things within Northern Ireland and between the two states which currently exist on the island.
To make a real success of Irish unity there needs to be planning beforehand. Both the campaign for and the implementation of reunification, needs to be delivered via the widest possible coalition of political parties and civic society.
The Irish Government, whoever it is led by, needs to be focused on planning for the referendum and the implementation of reunification after a successful vote. This will be a long-term process which will be delivered over a decade. While Northern Ireland will rejoin the European Union on day one that Ireland is officially reunited, it will take time to integrate services and to put in place new governance structures.
A timeline for reunification should be set out shortly after the successful vote and a dedicated Minister of State for Unity within the Irish Government should provide regular updates, perhaps quarterly, on the progress being made to implement reunification. This will help to ensure transparency and momentum within the reunification process.
The Irish Government should formally request that the British Government sets out the criteria which will lead to a border poll being called. As with all aspects of the Good Friday Agreement, the Irish Government should not be bystanders in this. They should privately indicate what they consider to be reasonable criteria for the calling of a border poll. If the British Government refuse to confirm the criteria or simply stonewall the request, then the Irish Government should publicise their suggested criteria, after consultation with the USA and the European Union. The war in Ukraine should not be a barrier to seeking this change. The reunification of Ireland will lead to smoother relations between Ireland and Britain in the long term.
At the same time the Irish Government should rename the Shared Island Unit to become the Reunification Unit. Every Irish Government should be upbeat and unashamed about preparing Ireland for unity.
I don’t believe that I alone have all the ideas to make Irish unity a success. But I do think that it is crucial that we go into the border poll campaign and know exactly what we are voting for in the event of a yes vote. That means preparation beforehand and setting out an efficient and effective structure of government and public services that will provide the maximum benefits from reunification for all citizens who live across Ireland.
Integration or harmonisation of public services across Ireland is key. We can and should seek to harmonise services across Ireland. But prior to reunification we will always be at the risk of a political party, parties or other outside interests seeking to put barriers between North and South.
Irish unity will help to ensure that we not only have harmonisation across Ireland but also that we move towards a full integration of services. That doesn’t mean centralisation or regional imbalance. It means that we construct and deliver public services in a co-ordinated, efficient and effective manner across all of Ireland. There are so many challenges which we need to face and also so many opportunities for Ireland. The best way for us to deal with these and secure a successful outcome is by fully integrating one national government for all of Ireland. This is not an abstract discussion, it is a practical consideration of how we ensure that our citizens have access to good public services, can benefit from a thriving economy and live within a vibrant and diverse society.
The Good Friday Agreement sets out the right to seek constitutional change via democratic means. Across Ireland, including in Northern Ireland, all too often there is an implicit if not explicit desire to close down debate on Irish unity. This should not be seen as controversial or antagonistic. It is a legitimate aspiration and one that all of us across Ireland should be open to discussing.
This is not just about reclaiming the fourth green field, while that is important. Identity is important but it’s also about securing a better quality of life for everyone who lives across this island. We cannot simply expect the Republic to vote for unity because of an historic connection to the idea of reuniting the island. People will vote for peace and prosperity rather than posterity. The entire conversation needs to be focused on how can we make lives better for everyone who shares this island of Ireland.
It is not right that more than a quarter of a century after the people of Ireland, North and South, voted for the Good Friday Agreement, that there are those who still consider discussion of Irish unity to be ‘controversial’ or ‘divisive’. Seeking the reunification of Ireland through solely peaceful means is a legitimate political aspiration, as was recognised in the agreement back in 1998. The whole discussion about Irish unity can be justified by pointing to that recognition as evidence that the constitutional conversation is allowed and should be respected, if not welcomed by all. But this discussion is also about how best can we live in a society which respects and celebrates all diversity, while enabling all our people to learn, live well and have prosperous lives. Prosperity is not just about money, it’s about being able to enjoy cultural experiences and having access to good healthcare. Those of us who favour Irish Unity, do so in part because we believe that a reunited Ireland within the European Union will provides the highest possible quality of life for all who live across the island of Ireland.
The ending of the paramilitary campaigns enabled me to look at Ireland differently. But what had been a long term aspiration became an urgent necessity when Britain unexpectedly voted for Brexit. The beauty of the Good Friday Agreement was that you could be Irish, British or both. Borders didn’t matter as much because we were all part of the European Union. Brexit ended all of that and shows in very real terms, that if we want to control our destiny across Ireland, then we need to be reunited.
For me it was no longer a case of simply wishing to reclaim the fourth green field, it is about how do we ensure the best quality of life for everyone who lives across Ireland. This British Labour Government is undoubtedly better than the previous Conservative one which caused chaos on a daily basis. But Keir Starmer and his team have indicated that they will not reverse Brexit. In fact he has said that he doesn’t think Britain will rejoin the European Union in his lifetime. He has also said that he cannot envisage the circumstances where Britain would rejoin the Single Market or Customs Union. This British government, like the last one, has also staked its reputation on reducing inward migration. Despite a change in tone Starmer cannot or will not fundamentally change Britain’s relationship with the EU after Brexit. While Britain will work closely with the EU on security issues in the context of the war in Ukraine, Starmer is unwilling or unable to renegotiate the terms of the Brexit deal with the EU.
Being part of the EU has been a good thing for Ireland, it has helped to create peace and prosperity on the island. As an island with a fast growing economy we need migrants to continue to work in our health system, to bring new ideas and new culture to help make our island more diverse. But like any country with inward migration and a vibrant economy, there are challenges. There is a need to acknowledge people’s concerns and to address them. Whether people live in East Belfast, Galway or North Dublin, they want to have hope for the future, that there will be opportunity for their families and that the vulnerable will be cared for. We need to see more good quality and affordable housing being built.
Opinion polls have shown increasing concerns about the level of immigration coming into Ireland. It is not that the government should be against immigration but there needs to be assurance for citizens that it can be managed effectively. That means by ensuring there are sufficient services and infrastructure available. We must respect genuinely held concerns about immigration into Ireland. While the far right is seeking to cause division, we must address the fears of people who are concerned about the increasing cost of housing, added pressure on the healthcare system and worries about availability of jobs. Irish unity will help to address concerns about immigration as the island will be able to act in a co-ordinated fashion to manage the inflow of immigrants and refugees more effectively. Research has shown that the majority of people in Northern Ireland would prefer to have immigration checks at the Irish Sea Border rather than on the land border between Ireland and Northern Ireland.
We know that people want to know that their government can manage immigration in a sustainable way and the first part of being able to do that is by having control of your borders. Ireland is fortunate that as an island we can do this effectively when we control entry to the island via all sea and airports. New Zealand as an island nation was able to adopt a zero covid policy during the pandemic by closing down its borders, until a vaccine could be found and administered to its people. Ireland could not take the same approach because due to partition, we have two administrations on the island, which were at times operating contradictory approaches to dealing with the pandemic.
The Earth is heating rapidly and this causes many problems. One of the challenges we will face is the increasing frequency of pandemics and zoonotic diseases which transfer from other species to humans. Irish unity will enable us to take full control of our borders without outside interference from the British Government and better enable us to keep all our citizens safe when pandemics take place.
To address the climate crisis we need to transition away from fossil fuels in the near future and embrace the opportunities provided by renewables and by connecting into continental Europe’s energy market. This will also help to reduce our carbon footprint. The Irish Government and the EU must show citizens that addressing the climate crisis will improve people’s lives. We need better transport and access to broadband so that people can live and thrive in every part of Ireland, not just the Belfast to Dublin economic corridor. There are lots of great places to live, work and enjoy life all across Ireland. A United Ireland which is part of the European Union will help to achieve all of this. One part of Ireland being outside of the EU makes achieving all of this much more difficult.
Partition has been a disaster for both parts of Ireland. It has caused huge damage to the island, been a source of unrest and divided communities. The border counties of Ireland will not fully recover until we finally rid Ireland from the scar of division. Irish unity will make it easier to grow the economy without internal barriers. All the people of Ireland will be able to access the healthcare benefits from being part of the EU, in areas such as digital health.
The world is becoming increasingly unstable as recent events in the USA have shown. The best way in which we can provide for the security of all who live across Ireland and minimise outside interference, is through Irish unity. All of the challenges we face will be more easily addressed by a reunited Ireland. To safeguard the Good Friday Agreement, membership of the European Convention on Human Rights and all the protection which these provide for citizens across Ireland, we must prepare for and then secure the reunification of Ireland through a border poll. So yes my head tells me that winning a border poll will create a better Ireland for everyone but my heart also wants us to grasp our destiny to build a new nation for all.
Part two – How and Why?
In this book I intend to set out my thoughts on how and why we can get reunification of the island of Ireland. I passionately believe that Irish unity will provide many benefits for all people who live across Ireland. The key thing will be ensuring that we prepare properly in advance, have a democratic vote for unity and then implement the right approach to achieve the maximum benefit for everyone. This must involve respecting and safeguarding everyone’s culture and heritage. It must also involve building a new state which provides the best health service, education system and economic opportunities for all. We cannot address the climate emergency or housing crisis by continuing to take two different approaches across Ireland. Integrating our approach is the best way forward. This will take time. The reunification of Ireland is a process, not a single event. The vote for unity will be an important stepping stone on this journey.
Before the vote we need to plan and prepare. Currently there are many unknowns and we need to have answers before we vote. In the immediate time ahead we need to see clarity from the British Labour Government on what the criteria will be for the calling of a border poll. Hillary Benn the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has said that the criteria have not been met. How can he explain that? If he is certain of that view, then logically he must have criteria which he is using to make that judgment. The British Government should publish what those criteria are. Nobody should have anything to fear by ensuring transparency on this. Those of us who seek a New Ireland want to see fair and transparent criteria.
The Irish Government needs to take several steps right now. Firstly it should publicly state that that Irish unity is a political objective, not just an aspiration, as former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar suggested at an Ireland’s Future event in Belfast. By making this commitment the momentum will grow and preparations for the vote can begin. The British Government will understandably be reluctant to progress the unity agenda until it is certain that the Irish Government wants to do so.
Part of these preparations by the Irish Government should include one or more citizens’ assemblies, the publication of a green paper on unity to facilitate a discussion and ultimately a white paper where the government will set out its views on what a united Ireland will look like. But just as happened during the period after the vote for Brexit, the Irish Government should set up a number of sectoral forums to enable the widest possible engagement across Ireland on all key issues.
The President must play a role as the Head of State for all of Ireland and particularly ensure that those who have been disadvantaged or who feel their voice has not been heard, should be invited to engage and share their thoughts. The presidency of Mary McAleese and her focus on ‘Building Bridges’ is a template for how the President should act. This role is crucial in representing Ireland abroad but it must also be about connecting all citizens at home across all of Ireland.
We know that there are concerns about what reunification would mean for unionists and others across Ireland. We cannot take for granted that people in the South will automatically vote for unity. Concerns can be addressed by making the process towards reunification as transparent as possible. Giving people the opportunity to share their thoughts and to be involved in the development process can help to reduce anxiety about change. Political Unionism is unlikely to engage in this process until after a successful vote for reunification. However Civic Unionism has already begun to engage, privately at least. The Irish Government will necessarily have to do most of the heavy lifting on preparation, supported by the British Government.
I believe that political representatives in Ireland are increasingly turning their attention towards the need to plan and prepare in advance of a border poll on Irish unity. All of the main political parties in the Republic set out their commitment to Irish unity in the recent Dáil elections. Steps which should be taken to prepare for reunification were also included. This is to be welcomed as we want to avoid the chaos of Brexit, by having a plan in place when we vote and also through reunification providing an escape hatch out of Brexit itself. The call by the Good Friday Implementation Committee in the Oireachtas, which is cross-party, to start preparations now for reunification is an important step.
The campaign group Ireland’s Future have been explicit in their desire and expectation of a border poll taking place in 2030. While there can be a range of views on when the referendum is likely to take, it is apparent that the next set of elections in Northern Ireland will be key. As Kevin Meagher has stated there will be Northern Ireland Assembly elections in 2027, Northern Ireland local government elections in 2028 and Westminster elections are likely in 2029. On the basis of the current trends these are likely to play a defining role in the timeline for when a vote on reunification is held.
Ben’s new book The Irish Unity Dividend is now available to pre-order via all good bookshops. It will be published on 30 September 2025.
In 1992 Bill Clinton’s campaign for President famously used the line ‘It’s the economy, stupid’. Now the focus should be ‘It’s the economy, healthcare, housing and climate change, stupid’. Or to be more precise the mantra now must be “It’s quality of life, stupid”. All citizens who have a vote in any of these elections, should be asking themselves which party or parties, in a single transferable vote election, will focus on these issues and provide the best way forward.
Identity is important but the key issue for society should always be, how do we best ensure a good quality of life for ourselves, our family, friends and neighbours? We need to tell a story that shows how our message about the benefits of Irish unity in a way which resonates with politicians and citizens.
There is nothing more patriotic than providing for citizens’ quality of life. This isn’t some vague concept, it’s practical issues about how do we provide good education for our children and young people? How do we ensure affordable housing for everyone? Irish unity must be first and foremost about providing peace and prosperity for all citizens across Ireland.
When I first came up with the idea to write my book Irish Unity: Time to Prepare it was during the London Olympics of 2012. Things were so different then politically. The first Scottish Independence referendum of 2014, the Brexit referendum of 2016 and the disappearance of Unionist majorities in successive Northern Ireland elections for local government, Northern Ireland Assembly and the Westminster Parliament were all in the future. Now as I write this second book, each of those events which in their own way were seismic for the island of Ireland, as well as for Britain, are historic facts. Irish unity is an idea whose time has come. It is no longer a question of whether there will be a border poll in the future. It is now a question of when. As Professor Katy Hayward has stated: “The reassessment of Northern Ireland as an entity needs to take place.” The drive towards the reunification of Ireland must be led by ordinary voters creating the necessary momentum.
There are many people and organisations which are now calling for the planning to be undertaken before a unity referendum. I agree wholeheartedly that this is crucial. Analysis which has evaluated electoral results in Northern Ireland show that when voters who vote for non-aligned parties (i.e. Alliance and Greens) are incorporated into nationalist or unionist blocs, there is already a nationalist majority. We are fortunate that there are also many academics across Ireland, Britain and the USA who are now exploring both the planning required and the benefits which will be derived from reuniting Ireland. The reunification process will be complex and a long term process but I believe that there will be benefits for everyone who lives across this island. For me the Irish Unity Dividend is the combined result of the reunification of Ireland, as it will impact on each of our lives in multiple ways.
In this book I set out my analysis of the many benefits of Irish unity. The extent to which we secure this dividend depends on the decisions we make. Planning before the vote is key. It is also imperative that we choose the best way to deliver services and create opportunities for everyone who lives across the island of Ireland. I am seeking to set out an overview of the benefits from Irish unity, if we make the right decisions. It is not intended to be an operating manual on how we get there. The Irish Government must be the organisaton which takes forward the detailed planning to both prepare for and implement the reunification of Ireland.
We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to build a nation which delivers for all of its citizens. The best way to achieve this is by putting in place governmental structures which are the most efficient and effective. You do not have to be an economist to understand that one of something is cheaper and more effective than duplicating services. We currently duplicate so many things within Northern Ireland and between the two states which currently exist on the island.
To make a real success of Irish unity there needs to be planning beforehand. Both the campaign for and the implementation of reunification, needs to be delivered via the widest possible coalition of political parties and civic society.
The Irish Government, whoever it is led by, needs to be focused on planning for the referendum and the implementation of reunification after a successful vote. This will be a long-term process which will be delivered over a decade. While Northern Ireland will rejoin the European Union on day one that Ireland is officially reunited, it will take time to integrate services and to put in place new governance structures.
A timeline for reunification should be set out shortly after the successful vote and a dedicated Minister of State for Unity within the Irish Government should provide regular updates, perhaps quarterly, on the progress being made to implement reunification. This will help to ensure transparency and momentum within the reunification process.
The Irish Government should formally request that the British Government sets out the criteria which will lead to a border poll being called. As with all aspects of the Good Friday Agreement, the Irish Government should not be bystanders in this. They should privately indicate what they consider to be reasonable criteria for the calling of a border poll. If the British Government refuse to confirm the criteria or simply stonewall the request, then the Irish Government should publicise their suggested criteria, after consultation with the USA and the European Union. The war in Ukraine should not be a barrier to seeking this change. The reunification of Ireland will lead to smoother relations between Ireland and Britain in the long term.
At the same time the Irish Government should rename the Shared Island Unit to become the Reunification Unit. Every Irish Government should be upbeat and unashamed about preparing Ireland for unity.
I don’t believe that I alone have all the ideas to make Irish unity a success. But I do think that it is crucial that we go into the border poll campaign and know exactly what we are voting for in the event of a yes vote. That means preparation beforehand and setting out an efficient and effective structure of government and public services that will provide the maximum benefits from reunification for all citizens who live across Ireland.
Integration or harmonisation of public services across Ireland is key. We can and should seek to harmonise services across Ireland. But prior to reunification we will always be at the risk of a political party, parties or other outside interests seeking to put barriers between North and South.
Irish unity will help to ensure that we not only have harmonisation across Ireland but also that we move towards a full integration of services. That doesn’t mean centralisation or regional imbalance. It means that we construct and deliver public services in a co-ordinated, efficient and effective manner across all of Ireland. There are so many challenges which we need to face and also so many opportunities for Ireland. The best way for us to deal with these and secure a successful outcome is by fully integrating one national government for all of Ireland. This is not an abstract discussion, it is a practical consideration of how we ensure that our citizens have access to good public services, can benefit from a thriving economy and live within a vibrant and diverse society.
The Good Friday Agreement sets out the right to seek constitutional change via democratic means. Across Ireland, including in Northern Ireland, all too often there is an implicit if not explicit desire to close down debate on Irish unity. This should not be seen as controversial or antagonistic. It is a legitimate aspiration and one that all of us across Ireland should be open to discussing.
This is not just about reclaiming the fourth green field, while that is important. Identity is important but it’s also about securing a better quality of life for everyone who lives across this island. We cannot simply expect the Republic to vote for unity because of an historic connection to the idea of reuniting the island. People will vote for peace and prosperity rather than posterity. The entire conversation needs to be focused on how can we make lives better for everyone who shares this island of Ireland.
It is not right that more than a quarter of a century after the people of Ireland, North and South, voted for the Good Friday Agreement, that there are those who still consider discussion of Irish unity to be ‘controversial’ or ‘divisive’. Seeking the reunification of Ireland through solely peaceful means is a legitimate political aspiration, as was recognised in the agreement back in 1998. The whole discussion about Irish unity can be justified by pointing to that recognition as evidence that the constitutional conversation is allowed and should be respected, if not welcomed by all. But this discussion is also about how best can we live in a society which respects and celebrates all diversity, while enabling all our people to learn, live well and have prosperous lives. Prosperity is not just about money, it’s about being able to enjoy cultural experiences and having access to good healthcare. Those of us who favour Irish Unity, do so in part because we believe that a reunited Ireland within the European Union will provides the highest possible quality of life for all who live across the island of Ireland.
The ending of the paramilitary campaigns enabled me to look at Ireland differently. But what had been a long term aspiration became an urgent necessity when Britain unexpectedly voted for Brexit. The beauty of the Good Friday Agreement was that you could be Irish, British or both. Borders didn’t matter as much because we were all part of the European Union. Brexit ended all of that and shows in very real terms, that if we want to control our destiny across Ireland, then we need to be reunited.
For me it was no longer a case of simply wishing to reclaim the fourth green field, it is about how do we ensure the best quality of life for everyone who lives across Ireland. This British Labour Government is undoubtedly better than the previous Conservative one which caused chaos on a daily basis. But Keir Starmer and his team have indicated that they will not reverse Brexit. In fact he has said that he doesn’t think Britain will rejoin the European Union in his lifetime. He has also said that he cannot envisage the circumstances where Britain would rejoin the Single Market or Customs Union. This British government, like the last one, has also staked its reputation on reducing inward migration. Despite a change in tone Starmer cannot or will not fundamentally change Britain’s relationship with the EU after Brexit. While Britain will work closely with the EU on security issues in the context of the war in Ukraine, Starmer is unwilling or unable to renegotiate the terms of the Brexit deal with the EU.
Being part of the EU has been a good thing for Ireland, it has helped to create peace and prosperity on the island. As an island with a fast growing economy we need migrants to continue to work in our health system, to bring new ideas and new culture to help make our island more diverse. But like any country with inward migration and a vibrant economy, there are challenges. There is a need to acknowledge people’s concerns and to address them. Whether people live in East Belfast, Galway or North Dublin, they want to have hope for the future, that there will be opportunity for their families and that the vulnerable will be cared for. We need to see more good quality and affordable housing being built.
Opinion polls have shown increasing concerns about the level of immigration coming into Ireland. It is not that the government should be against immigration but there needs to be assurance for citizens that it can be managed effectively. That means by ensuring there are sufficient services and infrastructure available. We must respect genuinely held concerns about immigration into Ireland. While the far right is seeking to cause division, we must address the fears of people who are concerned about the increasing cost of housing, added pressure on the healthcare system and worries about availability of jobs. Irish unity will help to address concerns about immigration as the island will be able to act in a co-ordinated fashion to manage the inflow of immigrants and refugees more effectively. Research has shown that the majority of people in Northern Ireland would prefer to have immigration checks at the Irish Sea Border rather than on the land border between Ireland and Northern Ireland.
We know that people want to know that their government can manage immigration in a sustainable way and the first part of being able to do that is by having control of your borders. Ireland is fortunate that as an island we can do this effectively when we control entry to the island via all sea and airports. New Zealand as an island nation was able to adopt a zero covid policy during the pandemic by closing down its borders, until a vaccine could be found and administered to its people. Ireland could not take the same approach because due to partition, we have two administrations on the island, which were at times operating contradictory approaches to dealing with the pandemic.
The Earth is heating rapidly and this causes many problems. One of the challenges we will face is the increasing frequency of pandemics and zoonotic diseases which transfer from other species to humans. Irish unity will enable us to take full control of our borders without outside interference from the British Government and better enable us to keep all our citizens safe when pandemics take place.
To address the climate crisis we need to transition away from fossil fuels in the near future and embrace the opportunities provided by renewables and by connecting into continental Europe’s energy market. This will also help to reduce our carbon footprint. The Irish Government and the EU must show citizens that addressing the climate crisis will improve people’s lives. We need better transport and access to broadband so that people can live and thrive in every part of Ireland, not just the Belfast to Dublin economic corridor. There are lots of great places to live, work and enjoy life all across Ireland. A United Ireland which is part of the European Union will help to achieve all of this. One part of Ireland being outside of the EU makes achieving all of this much more difficult.
Partition has been a disaster for both parts of Ireland. It has caused huge damage to the island, been a source of unrest and divided communities. The border counties of Ireland will not fully recover until we finally rid Ireland from the scar of division. Irish unity will make it easier to grow the economy without internal barriers. All the people of Ireland will be able to access the healthcare benefits from being part of the EU, in areas such as digital health.
The world is becoming increasingly unstable as recent events in the USA have shown. The best way in which we can provide for the security of all who live across Ireland and minimise outside interference, is through Irish unity. All of the challenges we face will be more easily addressed by a reunited Ireland. To safeguard the Good Friday Agreement, membership of the European Convention on Human Rights and all the protection which these provide for citizens across Ireland, we must prepare for and then secure the reunification of Ireland through a border poll. So yes my head tells me that winning a border poll will create a better Ireland for everyone but my heart also wants us to grasp our destiny to build a new nation for all.
Part two – How and Why?
In this book I intend to set out my thoughts on how and why we can get reunification of the island of Ireland. I passionately believe that Irish unity will provide many benefits for all people who live across Ireland. The key thing will be ensuring that we prepare properly in advance, have a democratic vote for unity and then implement the right approach to achieve the maximum benefit for everyone. This must involve respecting and safeguarding everyone’s culture and heritage. It must also involve building a new state which provides the best health service, education system and economic opportunities for all. We cannot address the climate emergency or housing crisis by continuing to take two different approaches across Ireland. Integrating our approach is the best way forward. This will take time. The reunification of Ireland is a process, not a single event. The vote for unity will be an important stepping stone on this journey.
Before the vote we need to plan and prepare. Currently there are many unknowns and we need to have answers before we vote. In the immediate time ahead we need to see clarity from the British Labour Government on what the criteria will be for the calling of a border poll. Hillary Benn the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has said that the criteria have not been met. How can he explain that? If he is certain of that view, then logically he must have criteria which he is using to make that judgment. The British Government should publish what those criteria are. Nobody should have anything to fear by ensuring transparency on this. Those of us who seek a New Ireland want to see fair and transparent criteria.
The Irish Government needs to take several steps right now. Firstly it should publicly state that that Irish unity is a political objective, not just an aspiration, as former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar suggested at an Ireland’s Future event in Belfast. By making this commitment the momentum will grow and preparations for the vote can begin. The British Government will understandably be reluctant to progress the unity agenda until it is certain that the Irish Government wants to do so.
Part of these preparations by the Irish Government should include one or more citizens’ assemblies, the publication of a green paper on unity to facilitate a discussion and ultimately a white paper where the government will set out its views on what a united Ireland will look like. But just as happened during the period after the vote for Brexit, the Irish Government should set up a number of sectoral forums to enable the widest possible engagement across Ireland on all key issues.
The President must play a role as the Head of State for all of Ireland and particularly ensure that those who have been disadvantaged or who feel their voice has not been heard, should be invited to engage and share their thoughts. The presidency of Mary McAleese and her focus on ‘Building Bridges’ is a template for how the President should act. This role is crucial in representing Ireland abroad but it must also be about connecting all citizens at home across all of Ireland.
We know that there are concerns about what reunification would mean for unionists and others across Ireland. We cannot take for granted that people in the South will automatically vote for unity. Concerns can be addressed by making the process towards reunification as transparent as possible. Giving people the opportunity to share their thoughts and to be involved in the development process can help to reduce anxiety about change. Political Unionism is unlikely to engage in this process until after a successful vote for reunification. However Civic Unionism has already begun to engage, privately at least. The Irish Government will necessarily have to do most of the heavy lifting on preparation, supported by the British Government.
I believe that political representatives in Ireland are increasingly turning their attention towards the need to plan and prepare in advance of a border poll on Irish unity. All of the main political parties in the Republic set out their commitment to Irish unity in the recent Dáil elections. Steps which should be taken to prepare for reunification were also included. This is to be welcomed as we want to avoid the chaos of Brexit, by having a plan in place when we vote and also through reunification providing an escape hatch out of Brexit itself. The call by the Good Friday Implementation Committee in the Oireachtas, which is cross-party, to start preparations now for reunification is an important step.
The campaign group Ireland’s Future have been explicit in their desire and expectation of a border poll taking place in 2030. While there can be a range of views on when the referendum is likely to take, it is apparent that the next set of elections in Northern Ireland will be key. As Kevin Meagher has stated there will be Northern Ireland Assembly elections in 2027, Northern Ireland local government elections in 2028 and Westminster elections are likely in 2029. On the basis of the current trends these are likely to play a defining role in the timeline for when a vote on reunification is held.
Ben’s new book The Irish Unity Dividend is now available to pre-order via all good bookshops. It will be published on 30 September 2025.